My Top 10 Playstation 2 Role-Playing Games (RPGs)

Updated on August 4, 2014

The Playstation 2 is still an excellent console, and it has some of the greatest role-playing games available for it, carrying on the legacy of the original Playstation system. Here are my top ten role-playing games for the Playstation 2 console. (These are all my personal opinion, and there are certainly a lot more great games!) If you want to check out these games but don't have a PS2 anymore, try seeing if they are available on the Playstation Store. More and more older games are becoming available for download there.

10) Tsugunai: Atonement

This game didn't get a lot of positive attention, but I think it is one of the coolest RPGs on the PS2. It has a unique play style, where you possess other villagers in order to help them accomplish tasks. The variety of characters makes this a truly enjoyable game. It's a hard-to-find gem, but well-worth the hunt.

9) Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana

Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana is just one of the games in the super popular Atelier Iris series. It was the first one in North America. This game has a lot of fun item alchemy to do, different mana to acquire, and a great storyline. All the games are worth checking out, but if you want to start at the beginning, this is where you start.

8) Dark Cloud

This innovative role playing game combines action RPG elements with city building features. It's so much fun to try to find all the pieces for the town. The game was popular enough that it spawned a sequel as well. The sequel is really good as well, and had some updates to make the game feel a little more smooth and modern.

7) Kingdom Hearts

Many people were skeptical about this pairing of Disney and Final Fantasy, but it ended up being a great game that started a whole new series. With some well loved characters and a deep story line, this game ended up becoming an instant classic. While there's a direct sequel and tons of other spin-off games, this was the first, the original, the classic. None of the other entries can compare.

6) Disgaea: Hour of Darkness

Disgaea is a great tactical role playing game that you can play for hours and hours and hours! With a level cap of 9999, you can play forever. You can also even go inside of your items to level up items and equipment while leveling up your characters as well. Since it's release, there have been 4 more entries in the series, all of which employ the same tactical style.

5) Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne

The third main game in the SMT series, Nocturne, features a main character with demon powers. As you go through the game, you need to interact with various demons in order to ensure your survival. A dark game with a really great story. If you've loved any of the SMT games, check this one out.

4) Shadow Hearts

Shadow Hearts is a sequel to Koudelka, and I consider it to be one of the best RPGs ever. It has a unique combat system where you must hit the color of the Judgment Wheel in order to fight. The game features lots of extras and side quests, too.

3) Persona 3

The Persona series is one of the best out there, and Persona 3 is simply awesome. It features a really dark, mature storyline and has tons of extras. Befriend others to gain power and gather various Personas to bring into battle with you.

2) Final Fantasy X

For me, this was the last truly great entry in the Final Fantasy series (so far, anyway!). Featuring an amazing story, in-depth characters, a unique leveling system, and beautiful graphics, this game became very well-known in the Final Fantasy series and even prompted a sequel that continued the story faithfully, Final Fantasy X-2.

1) Persona 4

Yes, another Persona game! Persona 4 was such an amazing role-playing game; nearly impossible to put down. Persona 4 has so much to do and it is really re-playable. The story is almost like a mystery, and it keeps you completely intrigued until the very end! Now if you'll excuse me, I think I need to go play this game again!